Independent Study Away

Step 1: Degree Planning

Review the Plan & Prepare section of this website. A well researched degree plan is an important part of the study abroad process. Carefully read the Arts OASIS Degree Planning website for important information about planning your degree.

You are advised to complete an Arts OASIS Degree Planning Worksheet following the instructions in the Degree Planning Guide before submitting an application to study away to ensure that your plan meets your academic requirements. If you need help with this process, book a Degree Planning appointment with an Arts OASIS Advisor and make sure you meet with each of your departmental program advisor to carefully plan the courses needed for each program of study.

Keep in mind the degree requirements for the B.A degree when planning your study away:

1. You must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 60 credits at McGill University.
2. A minimum of two-thirds of all program requirements (Multi-Track, Honours, Faculty Program) must be satisfactorily completed at McGill.

Step 2: Select a University

1. Consult our Host University Checklist
2. Read Step 2 of  “Plan and Prepare” to ensure that you meet the application criteria.
3. Ensure that the host university you wish to attend is from our listings of approved host universities:
   •  Africa
   •  America
   •  Asia and Middle East
   •  Europe
   •  Oceania
   •  Online
   • Requests will be cancelled if they fall under the following categories:
     • Pertaining to schools that do not appear on our listing of approved host universities.
     • Involving study abroad organizations or companies which act as intermediaries.
     • Involving institutions currently listed as exchange partners (except during the Summer term).
4. Ensure that the host university:
   • Is currently accepting students to study on campus as non-degree, fee-paying visiting students
   •  That you meet the host university's eligibility requirements.
5. Consult the McGill Abroad Office and Canada’s Travel Advisory website.
   • Requests to study at institutions in countries with "Avoid Travel" advisories will be cancelled.
6. Check the Course Equivalency System before applying to study away to see if the course(s) you wish to register for have previously been approved for transfer credit.

Step 3: Submit one application

Important notes:

• Submit ONE application for Independent Study Away per application period. The application periods are Fall only, Fall and Winter (full-year), Winter only and Summer only.
• Your McGill email account and the Minerva Study Away module are our official means of communication during the application process and during your term away.
• If you have a "HOLD" on your Minerva record, please consult this website for information on the impact this will have on your study away application.
  • If the hold is not cleared by the deadline you have been given in the "SAO comments" in your Minerva study away application, your application will be FACULTY REFUSED.

Minerva Application:

• Minerva: Student Menu > Student Records Menu > Exchange/Study Away Menu > Request for Study Away.
• The application institution drop-down listing has hundreds of universities but you must select only those on the “Approved” listings (see step 2).
• Submit a brief “statement of purpose” that explains your reasons for applying to study away.
• Additionally for SUMMER ONLY:
  • Complete the Minerva Transfer Credit Assessment form linked to the Minerva Study Away application.
  • Course(s) listed on the Minerva Transfer Credit Assessment form:
  • Will be Faculty Approved as "elective only".
  • If you wish to use a course to meet a McGill program requirement, consult the departmental program adviser.
    • Refer to Step 5 of the Transferring Credit website for more information.
  • The maximum number of credits you may take during one Summer session is 12 credits. This credit total includes McGill Summer Studies courses and courses taken at another host university during the Summer term.
  • Do not register for concurrent courses (including online classes) that are scheduled at the same time or in the same term.

Degree Planning Worksheet (optional):

• Planning how your ISA fits within your degree is a strongly recommended exercise, to avoid surprises.
• Follow the instructions in the Degree Planning Guide to complete your Arts OASIS Degree Planning Worksheet

Tips & Tools for your Application:

• Don’t rush through your application!
• Click on the Question Marks or Help tabs in the Minerva Application for explanations.
• The application will time-out after 90 minutes of inactivity.
  • Have your text/course lists ready to paste into the application so as not to lose your work or miss the deadline.
• Once you submit your application it cannot be modified. You will not be able to change your choices of partner universities. If you want to make change, you will have to cancel your application and complete a new one before the deadline.

Step 4: Apply to the Host Institution

• Ensure that your registration at the host university will be as a “non-degree visiting student”.
  • Confirm that the host university has an undergraduate “visiting, non-degree, or free-mover” student status.
• Ensure the courses for which you register are part of the host university’s undergraduate curriculum.
• You are responsible to meet the host university’s application procedures and deadlines.
• You will be billed tuition and related fees directly by the host university.
• You must comply with the host country’s visa/immigration requirements.

WARNING – Affiliated partners and 3^rd party organizations: 

• You may not enroll in courses at an affiliated partner university of the host institution, and are not eligible to receive transfer credit for studies arranged by or offered through study abroad organizations, third parties or intermediaries.
• You are not permitted to be concurrently registered as an undergraduate degree student at two different universities in the Fall and Winter terms.

Step 5 - Approval

Once your application is “Faculty Approved”, download your “Letter of Permission" (LOP) from the application. The LOP:

• Is your official letter granting you McGill authorization to take courses at the specified host university during the specified term as a visiting student for the purpose of transferring course equivalences and credits toward your McGill degree.

• May be required by the Host University’s Registrar's Office, Enrollment Services or International Study Abroad Office.
• Is provided in place of any forms that must be provided to the host school confirming your permission to study away.

Your Minerva record will be updated to non-resident “Term Away” status for the same McGill term(s) you will be away. If you are registered for McGill courses in the Fall and/or Winter terms and you are approved to study away:

• These McGill courses will be dropped.
• You will not be able to register for McGill courses in that term(s).
• Your McGill courses WILL NOT be re-instated if your plans change.

NOTE: If you are studying away in the Summer term:

• Your Minerva record will be updated to non-resident “Term Away” in mid-July, to permit you to access summer course registration at McGill.
• You will not have access to the McGill Travel Registry until your Minerva record shows “Term Away – Arts”.
• Once your Minerva record indicates "Term Away - Arts", you will not be able to register for McGill summer courses on Minerva.

ONLINE COURSES: If you plan to take an online education course, please read the information under Transferring Credit, "Online Education Policy".

Step 6 - Next steps

Pre-departure Orientation

• You are required to register for a Pre-departure Orientation via the webform available on the McGill Abroad website in order to be granted access/enrolled into the course.
• To register or acquire more information about registering for Pre-departure Orientation, consult McGill Abroad.

Travel registry

• You are required to register your Independent Study Away activity using the McGill Student Travel Registry app, as soon as possible and at least 4 weeks prior to departure.
• Information about how to download and register using the app can be found on the McGill Student Travel Registry website.
• If you are studying away in the Summer term:
  • Your Minerva record will be updated to non-resident “Term Away” in mid-July, to permit you to access summer course registration at McGill.
  • You will not have access to the McGill Travel Registry until your Minerva record shows “Term Away – Arts”.
  • Once your Minerva record indicates "Term Away - Arts", you will not be able to register for McGill summer courses on Minerva.
• Failure to register your trip in the McGill Student Travel Registry and not completing the Pre-Departure Orientation will result in:
  • Your ISA being cancelled; and
  • No credits will be earned during your activity will be recognized or transferred.
• Questions regarding the Travel Registry and Pre-Departure Orientation should be sent to /safetyabroad [at] mcgill.ca.